DENVER (AP) — Bo Nix threw for 307 yards and a season-best four touchdowns, Javonte Williams got a push across the goal line from a half-dozen of his teammates, and the Denver Broncos rolled past the Atlanta Falcons 38-6 on Sunday.
Nix, who was 28 for 33, joined Hall of Famer Peyton Manning as the only rookie QBs in NFL history to throw for 200-plus yards with two or more touchdowns in four consecutive home games.
Click to Gallery
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) runs out of the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos linebacker Cody Barton (55) is tackled after his interception by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin, right, celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Devaughn Vele (17) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (16) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) passes the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Bo Nix (10) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) works in the pocket as Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Kentavius Street (93) pressures during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Broncos (6-5) snapped a two-game skid and made it an unhappy homecoming for safety Justin Simmons, who spent his first eight seasons in Denver before the Broncos unloaded his $18.5 million salary last winter. Simmons signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Falcons (6-5), who have lost two in a row.
Simmons had five tackles and tried to stop Williams at the 5-yard line, holding his ground for a second or two as reinforcements arrived from both teams for a shoving match that resembled a rugby scrum. The Broncos won it when they shoved Williams into the end zone to complete his 14-yard scoring run that gave Denver an early 14-3 lead.
Nix also completed a pair of 12-yard touchdown throws, one to tight end Nate Adkins and the other to speedster Marvin Mims Jr. to stake Denver to a 21-6 halftime advantage. His 7-yard TD toss to fellow rookie and Oregon alum Troy Franklin made it 28-6 early in the third quarter and he capped his day with a 41-yard scoring strike to Lil'Jordan Humphrey to make it 38-6.
At that point, Falcons coach Raheem Morris replaced starter Kirk Cousins (18 of 27 for 173 yards, no TDs and one interception) with rookie Michael Penix Jr., who promptly completed a 20-yard pass to Ray-Ray McCloud III. Penix was 2 of 4 for 24 yards.
The Falcons, who have lost two in a row, got first-half field goals of 41 and 51 yards from Younghoe Koo, who missed three times last week in a three-point loss to the Saints.
The Broncos snapped a three-game losing streak against Atlanta with their first home win over the Falcons since Sept. 10, 2000.
Kaden Elliss had nine tackles for Atlanta but was upstaged by his little brother, Jonah Elliss, who had a key sack for Denver in the third quarter along with a quarterback hit and a tackle for loss.
Falcons CB Kevin King was ruled out in the second quarter with a concussion and WR Darnell Mooney pulled a hamstring in the third quarter. Atlanta ruled out eight players before the game, including several starters on defense, including CBs Mike Hughes and Dee Alford. ... In the fourth quarter, DL Zach Harrison went out with a knee injury and WR Casey Washington got hurt on a deep incompletion and walked off to the locker room with an unspecified injury. ... Broncos S Brandon Jones (abdomen), who replaced Simmons in free agency, was ruled out and replaced by Devon Key.
Falcons: Host the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 1 following their bye week.
Broncos: At Las Vegas next Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) runs out of the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos linebacker Cody Barton (55) is tackled after his interception by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin, right, celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Devaughn Vele (17) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (16) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) passes the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Bo Nix (10) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) works in the pocket as Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Kentavius Street (93) pressures during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Tayson Hill couldn't hide his irritation over two early turnovers against the Cleveland Browns, so New Orleans Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi took a moment to address it.
“He was taking it personal and I just told him on the way out at halftime, ‘You’re going to keep getting the ball, so, we’re going to need you here,’” Rizzi recalled. “Fortunately for us, he made some big runs.”
Hill capped a career-best 138-yard, three-touchdown performance on the ground with a 75-yard scoring run, and the Saints improved to 2-0 under Rizzi with a 35-14 victory over the Browns on Sunday.
Hill's two other touchdowns went for 10 and 33 yards — the second on fourth and short — to more than balance out the deep interception he threw and the fumble he lost.
“It was one of those things where I had to take a step back and say, there’s nothing that I can do about it now,” said Hill, who moved into ninth place in franchise history with 44 total TDs. “So, let’s go do what I can do to help us win this game, and fortunately I continued to get some opportunities.”
The 34-year-old Hill also completed an 18-yard pass and returned a kickoff 42 yards. His 50 yards receiving on eight catches gave him 248 yards combined as a runner, passer, receiver and returner.
“He sure didn’t look 34. He looked more like a 24 year old today,” said Rizzi, comparing the do-it-all versatility of Hill to that of Harold “Red” Grange, a Chicago Bears star nearly a century ago.
“He’s kind of an ageless guy," Rizzi said in reference to the breakaway speed Hill exhibited on his longer runs. "He keeps himself in phenomenal physical shape.”
Derek Carr passed for 248 yards and two touchdowns for New Orleans (4-7), highlighted by Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s 71-yard catch and run on a short crossing route.
Jameis Winston passed for 395 yards and two TDs for the Browns (2-8) in his return to the city he called home for the previous four NFL seasons.
His scoring throws including a short pass during a scramble that Jerry Jeudy turned into an 89-yard TD. He also hit Elijah Moore in the back of the end zone with a 30-yard pass, and followed that with a completion to tight end David Njoku for 2-point conversion that tied the game at 14 in the third quarter before the Saints pulled away late.
“In this game, you have to play clean on all three sides of the ball, and certainly in the fourth quarter we did not do that," Browns Kevin Sefanski said. "Anytime you lose like we did by 21, you don’t feel good about anything.”
Jeudy finished with six catches for a game-high 142 yards receiving.
The Saints rushed for 214 yards as a team, with Alvin Kamara contributing 67 yards on 16 carries.
Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak “called a great game,” Hill said. “He created a lot of unique opportunities for me to make plays and I think as you start to look at what we’re doing offensively, the more things we do that way, the harder it is for us to be defended.”
Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins pulled field goal attempts of 51 and 32 yards wide left in the second quarter, allowing the Saints to take a 14-6 lead into halftime. Those misses came a week after Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo missed two field goals and had another blocked in the Superdome — a stadium normally viewed as kicker-friendly.
Saints rookie left tackle Taliese Fuaga, a first round draft choice out of Oregon State, prevented Myles Garrett from getting a sack — with a little help from a scheme that had various teammates help him block the Browns' star defensive end.
“What a great challenge for him, right? Because we did leave him out there a couple of times,” Carr said. “What an experience for him to go against one of the more dominant players our league has ever seen and to just grow in confidence.”
Browns: Left tackle Dawand Jones, who was getting a spot start for scratched tackle Jedrick Willis Jr., was carted off the field with an air cast on his broken left leg. He was replaced in the lineup by Germain Ifedi.
Saints: In his first game back from a groin injury that sidelined him for eight weeks, center Erik McCoy got up slowly after Valdes-Scantling's long TD early in the second quarter. He was treated on the sideline, pedaled a stationary bike and briefly returned — but left the game again for good in the second half, replace by Shane Lemieux. Rizzi said McCoy might have been capable of playing more that the staff wanted to be smart about not pushing him too hard, too soon.
The Browns host Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
The Saints enter their bye week, followed by a home game against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 1.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, left, and New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi , right, meet after their NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi gestures as he walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) gestures to fans as he walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) gestures to fans as he walks off the field in after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill, left, celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Derek Carr (4) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, right, carries a pass from quarterback Jameis Winston into the endzone for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) passes in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, left, celebrates an interception in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) is brought down by Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill, rear, as he scores in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) is tackled by Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit, left, in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) rolls out in front of Cleveland Browns linebacker Elerson G. Smith (52) to pass to wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, center, recovers a fumble by New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
A number of New Orleans Saints defenders attempt to block a field goal by the Cleveland Browns in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. The field goal was no good. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling looks over his shoulder at Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush (30) as he scores in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) passes under pressure in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) scores as Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill (1) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
